Confused About Latex Colored Gloves? Know The Difference And Uses Of Each Now

Latex gloves have been around since the beginning of time! But colored latex gloves?!

In the old days, the options were limited to one or two colors. Yet, now you can find colored latex gloves everywhere.

Additionally, colored gloves these days can be scented to combat latex smell.

Now you might be wondering… why are latex gloves colored? Where can I wear a colored latex glove? Why purchase latex gloves in the first place?

Don’t be alarmed; we are here to help you answer all of your questions.

We will tell you all about colored latex gloves, their features, who uses them, and finally, we will glance over the available latex glove options.

Why use colored gloves?

• Color coding technique

Recently, several firms have begun to use the color coding technique to classify their job activities inside specific sectors within their workplace.

Some hospitals have adopted the color coding scheme, giving one glove color for general inspections, another for operations, and a third for biohazard collection.

Color coding is effective in reducing cross-contamination in hospitals.

• Glove doubling technique

Another advantage of colored gloves is that doctors and microbiologists frequently use the double glove strategy when working with highly infectious organisms or illnesses.

Their need for extreme protection involves using two gloves, one white and the other purple, black, or any other hue, so they can identify a glove puncture as soon as it occurs.

So, the color of your latex glove doesn’t impact its ability to provide protection. So, you might be wondering… why are there so many colors? 

Well, colored gloves were used to distinguish between latex and latex-free gloves. However, you can use color coding these days to improve your work environment.

For instance, red gloves are used in the food industry to handle raw meat. While yellow gloves are used for cooked meat. 

In addition to that, they have assigned blue gloves for raw fish. Green gloves are for vegetables, and white gloves are for dairy.

Let’s take a look at colored latex gloves. 

A long time ago, latex gloves came only in their signature white color. But nowadays, latex gloves are available in a vast array of colors. 

Moreover, colored latex gloves can be divided into disposable and reusable gloves. 

Disposable colored latex gloves

Latex gloves are made from a naturally processed plant product. 

First, latex is collected from the sap of the Hevea brasiliensis tree. Then, it is chemically processed and molded into different products, including gloves.

However, to obtain colored latex gloves, the coloring is usually done before the molding. 

Thus, colored latex gloves are manufactured in white, blue, light blue, mint green, and black. Yet, each of these colors is preferred in a particular profession. 

• White latex gloves

White-colored gloves are mainly used for double gloving. These gloves are worn under or above a dark-colored glove to create contrast. 

Thus, white-colored gloves are used to detect tears in gloves. 

Blue and light blue latex gloves

These colored latex gloves are famous in the medical setting. Physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers use light blue latex gloves and blue latex gloves. 

Additionally, these colored latex gloves are among the least expensive gloves on the market. 

• Mint green latex gloves

Mint green gloves are used in the medical field as well. You might spot them in your dentist’s office or an emergency room. 

• Black latex gloves

Black-colored latex gloves are used in spas, hair salons, and tattoo studios. Also, they are great at hiding grease stains. Thus, they are used in the automotive industry as well.

Moreover, they are preferred in forensics as one can spot powders easily wearing them.

Finally, some chefs prefer to use black gloves while cooking.

• Pink, purple, orange… etc.  

Dentists and physicians usually use other colors of latex gloves as well. They wear them to match their scrubs. However, these colors are not as standard as white, blue, green, and black colored latex gloves.

Bottomline

Disposable colored latex gloves are manufactured using natural products. Also, they come in different colors that help in the color-coding process. 

However, colored latex gloves seem to dominate mainly in the medical industry.

Reusable colored rubber gloves

Reusable rubber gloves are made initially from latex. During the manufacturing of rubber gloves, latex is further processed to enhance the thickness and durability of the glove. 

Thus, rubber latex gloves can be used more than once. 

• Yellow rubber gloves 

We have all owned a pair of yellow rubber gloves at some point, haven’t we?

The yellow-colored gloves are considered a trademark for janitorial work and house cleaning. 

• Black rubber gloves 

The thickness and color of these gloves make them the optimum choice for industrial uses. 

Bottomline

Reusable gloves used to be made from latex. Thus, they provided flexibility and durability. Also, their thickness ensures high levels of protection.

Therefore, rubber gloves are a popular choice for industrial uses.

Why purchase latex gloves?

Colored latex gloves have several features that make them an excellent glove choice. They are known to provide the fit, feel, and comfort you need. 

So, why don’t we look closely at what makes them the best for you?

• Strength

On the one hand, you are fully aware that your colored gloves are meant for single use. On the other hand, you need to know they won’t split while wearing them. 

Colored latex gloves are more resilient than vinyl. Additionally, they are available in various thicknesses.

Thus, they can provide you with the optimum protection.

• Sensitivity

Whether manipulating an instrument or feeling a vein, you need a glove that won’t stand in your way.

So, when considering the sensitivity of your glove, consider the elasticity of latex. This elasticity can provide you with the best tactile experience. 

Although nitrile gloves are suitable, they are less sensitive. Therefore, colored latex gloves are perfect for the medical field. 

• Tear resistance 

Most gloves are treated to facilitate their donning. Additionally, the elasticity of latex gloves reduces their chances of tearing. 

Furthermore, latex gloves are highly tear-resistant around the cuff. Unlike nitrile gloves which are prone to splitting when punctured.

However, you might want to remove any jewelry before donning your glove.

• Snug fit

A tight glove can be uncomfortable, while a loose glove impairs movement. So, it’s advantageous to have a glove that can stretch and fit perfectly. 

On the one hand, nitrile gloves can be stretchy and provide a snug fit. However, they have no room for wrong sizing. On the other hand, latex gloves are flexible enough to tolerate sizing errors. 

• Grip 

Latex gloves provide the best grip as latex itself tends to adhere. Although latex is excellent when handling objects, vinyl is much better when dealing with patients.  

• Biodegradability

Unlike other glove types, latex gloves are eco-friendly. They degrade with time without hurting the environment. 

Bottomline

Latex gloves are well-known for their ability to adhere to the skin. Additionally, they are more elastic than other glove types.

Thus, colored latex gloves provide a good grip, high sensitivity, resistance to tearing, and high durability. 

Also, latex gloves are the only eco-friendly type available on the market.

Latex allergy? Are you sensitive to latex?

Since latex is a naturally existing product, it’s made of proteins.

These proteins led to the sensitization of the immunity system of some individuals. Thus, resulting in an allergic reaction that can lead to anaphylactic shock. 

As a result, latex-free gloves were introduced to the market.

Additionally, powdered latex gloves should be avoided in the food industry. The powder is easily aerosolized and can affect customers with latex allergies. 

Bottomline

Even though latex gloves have multiple advantages, they can be fatal to some people. Thus, latex sensitivity should be checked before purchasing colored latex gloves.

Additionally, to avoid an allergic reaction, use powder-free latex gloves.

The color change is another problem; these gloves can turn yellow after wearing them for a while. This is due to the reaction between sweat and latex.

Therefore, you can use darker-colored latex gloves to avoid the spotting that results from sweating.

What are latex gloves used for?

Aside from the medical field, latex gloves are used industrially as well. They are resistant to bleach, household detergents, and brake fluid.

Hence, colored latex gloves are used in: 

1. The food industry 
2. The automotive industry
3. Cleaning
4. Construction work
5. Law enforcement
6. Hair salons and spas
7. Tattoo studios

• The medical field 

Colored latex gloves are used by physicians, dentists, nurses, vets, and other healthcare providers. The gloves constitute an essential part of the protective wear against infections. 

They are divided into surgical and examination gloves.

Surgical gloves 

Surgical gloves provide more sensitivity. Additionally, they are sterilized and sold as individually wrapped pairs. 

Examination gloves

On the other hand, examination gloves can either be sterile or non-sterile. However, sterile examination gloves are more expensive. 

• The food industry

Gloves are essential when handling food preparations. This became standard in factories, restaurants, cafes, and even supermarkets.

Therefore, colored latex gloves are recommended to color code your kitchen. 

• The automotive industry

Mechanics deal with grease and oil all day long. Thus, they need to protect their hands from these chemicals. 

Black-colored latex gloves are an excellent barrier and maintain a good appearance. 

• Cleaning

Latex gloves are popularly used in janitorial services. We all use latex and rubber gloves to wash the dishes, clean our cars, and even do some gardening.

• Construction work

Construction workers mix cement and handle PVC every day. So, latex gloves provide them with the protection they need without impairing their movement. 

• Law enforcement

Police officers and detectives are required to wear gloves during investigations. This procedure is critical to preserve the integrity of the crime scene. 

• Hair salons and spas

Hair dyes can stain the stands. Therefore, hair stylists always wear gloves when handling dyes. Additionally, gloves are a protective measure against infection in spas and salons.

• Tattoo studios

Tattoo artists also wear black gloves while working. Aside from its use for protection, it makes them look cool. 

Bottomline 

The features of colored latex gloves make them favorable in many industries. This is attributed to their snug fit, strength, and sensitivity.

Moreover, the latex’s ability to stretch makes it superior to nitrile and vinyl.

Choosing the right latex glove

Colored latex gloves offer a variety of options. Some of these options include:

• Long cuff lengths 
• Beaded gloves
• Textured gloves for better grip
• Powder and powder-free gloves
• Medical grade gloves 
• Different thicknesses
• Lower protein gloves (to reduce allergies)

Thus, before making your purchase decide which type of glove you need. First, make a list of all the required features. And then start looking for the perfect glove.

Final thoughts

We inspected the available colored latex gloves and their features. Colored latex gloves are elastic, ensure sensitivity to touch, and allow for size variation. 

So, they are used in several industrial services. In addition to their high popularity in the medical field. 

Even though latex gloves provide a tempting choice, latex allergy may stand in the way of your purchase. In this case, we recommend you consider lower protein latex gloves, colored nitrile gloves, or colored vinyl gloves.

Now that we have examined colored latex gloves thoroughly, you should be able to make a decision.